Internships and Research

International Internships and Research

Internships

International internships allow students to pursue professional experience on a global level while receiving academic credit and using financial aid and scholarships to support time abroad. Internships are available:

In all types of professional organizations including research labs, industry, small businesses, NGOs, government agencies, non-profits and education.

In all languages including English.

At all times of year.

For undergraduate and graduate students.

Most internships are 3-6 months in duration. Internship providers often help interns find housing, get oriented to their work place and environment, and develop critical work skills. Many also provide stipends or other support to help cover costs. While you must register for a minimum of one credit, you can earn more. The College of Forestry accepts applications for internships up to a year in advance on a rolling basis.

Questions? Contact Michele Justice in the CoF International Programs office.

Located in the midst of the Chilean Patagonia Rainforest, beneath the beautiful Andes mountain range, in the Los Lagos region of southern Chile. This privately-owned reserve hosts guests in various types of accommodations and organized activities for their guests. They have won multiple prestigious awards and certifications for its commitment to conservation, community integration, and sustainable tourism. Previous interns have worked in the excursions department, where they help educate guests in environmental, cultural, and outdoor education. Other interns have helped with the Reserve’s many trails and developed nature-centered activities for visiting children, also known as “los pequeños exploradores”. Interns can stay on-site at the Reserve.

Want to know more? Check ou this student story about interning at Huilo Huilo here!

Instituto Forestal de Chile (INFOR) is the Forest Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Chilean Government. Since 1965, they have been conducting research in Chilean forest ecosystems, with 7 research stations throughout the country. Internships are offered in a research station in Chiloé Island or in Concepción. During an internship, a student will learn about ecological restoration with native tree species through a combination of practical work and data analyses in the context of many current research projects. Interns are received all year for 3-6 months.

IPBio is a non-profit organization that connects scientific research and the general population in order to expand public knowledge about environmental issues. Their long-term goal is to connect all of Brazil’s major biomes with a network of research centers. IPBio’s current research projects are primarily focused on data collection and field research, and are either conceptualized internally for practical goals or through partnerships with academic institutions. IPBio is located on the Betary Reserve, a 60 hectare preserved area in the municipality of Iporanga in southern Brazil, in the São Paulo district. The reserve and surrounding area is home to the largest surviving contiguous area of Atlantic Forest, and is formally recognized by as The Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Roles for interns include: eco-volunteer, bioluminescent mushroom researcher, research assistant, amphibian researcher, bioacoustics researcher, photographers/videographers, website design, animal release center assistant, fundraising and communications, volunteer coordinator, gardener/farmer/trail maintenance, and mural painter. Interns are housed on the reserve in the Darwin Guest House. Minimum stay is 2 weeks, interns are welcome year-round.

CLEAR is a community-based organization formed in 2012 with the objective of creating greater awareness on the importance of conservation on the Moyog River. One ongoing project is the implementation of sustainable pig waste management for local communities that depend on the animal husbandry for living. CLEAR also helps communities implement hydropower. Interns will work with volunteers to assist in pig waste management projects, work with youths in monitoring the Myog river, and assist in documenting the process. Applicants with a background in Environmental Science, Engineering, construction, or farm management.

Gorilla Guardians (formerly Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village) is a non-profit umbrella organization located in the northern province of Rwanda. The project aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. Projects include livelihood changes for reformed poachers, conservation support, and enterprise development, with room for new research projects. The area has a good road network, water, internet and electricity, with the major town of Musanze just 15-20 minutes away. Interns should have integrated conservation and development skills, a willingness to become familiar with village areas and people, an ability to take initiative, and be able to adapt to areas where English is not a primary language. Interns will be accommodated in the village until suitable accommodation has been found.

Makerere University Biological Field Station (MUBFS) is a unit of Makerere University’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It was established in 1970 at the edge of Kibale National Park in Kabarole district of western Uganda. The station has a number of running research projects, ranging from primate behavior, nutrition, and ecology, effects of climate change, human-wildlife conflicts, fish ecology, and community-based conservation. The station also has programs in environmental education and has an active project where staff track and remove snares set by local hunters in the forest. The station also collaborates with a nearby community that is conserving a wetland and promoting it for ecotourism. Interns can be involved in a number of these projects, depending on their experience and interests. The interns will stay at the main site of the station in Kanyawara. Students can jointly contribute to hire a standby vehicle that can serve all of them, provided their schedules can be harmonised. Open to undergraduate and above.

KAFRED is a community based organization in western Uganda, founded in 1992 by six members of the Bigodi community with the assistance of a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer. Since then, the membership has gradually increased to more than 170 members, including numerous affiliate groups. KAFRED is 100% community-owned and run, and has garnered a number of accolades, including The Equator Initiative Award (2004 and 2010); best Community Sustainable Program in Uganda in 2008; silver award at the 2015 African Sustainable Tourism Awards and the TODO! Award for tourism for social responsibility, in Germany. Some ongoing projects for interns include: primate census, tree phenology, conservation education, tourism marketing and promotion, and conducting surveys, with a current need for someone with artistic skills to paint illustrations in the visitor center. Interns will be hosted in a homestay 10 minutes’ walk from the worksite. Students from all backgrounds and levels are welcome, but those with special interests in ecotourism, conservation, research, and community development are preferred. Internship available June-December.

If you have conducted research as an undergraduate or graduate and want to share your projects at conferences, we can help with that as well. Previous CoF students have attended conferences in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and other locations.

If you would like to undertake research or wish to attend a conference abroad and are looking for funding, apply for the Dean's Fund Award. Available for both undergrad and graduate CoF students, you can apply for funding for your international experience. Click here for more information on the Dean's Fund.